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About the Author

Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio. She is the Founding Director of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings thousands of women to Israel each year from 18 different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage (www.jwrp.org). She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik, and is the busy mother of five children, ages 25 to 15.

Visitor Comments: 15

(12)
nancy,
March 17, 2012 10:21 PM

amazing taxi driver

In 1985 my good friend and I went to Israel for a vacation. We asked a taxi driver to show us the sights, which he did, and then invited us to his home to show us his son's Bar Mitzvah video at the Wailing Wall. He was the highlight of our trip.

(11)
Efrem,
March 16, 2012 12:09 PM

Happens to me all the time

I've been living in Jerusalem for 3 years and this happens to me all the time. In a short 10 minute ride I learn so much about the person driving the cab and vice versa. I even get dating advise.

(10)
Anonymous,
March 16, 2012 11:29 AM

On Buses too

Two days ago I was on a bus in Jerusalem. The woman in the front seat had asked the bus driver where to get off. He asked her why she was going there. It turned out to meet a Shudduch. Then the bus driver broke out, almost in song, with a lengthy blessing, including wealth, good health, marriage, and many, many children and grand children. But the best part was to follow, the woman responded "Amen", followed by an entire bus of people who in unison said "Amen!". I was especially moved. The bus sported secular Jews, young and old, people in jeans, some young men with several earrings, but when it came to a blessing of someone they didn't even know, we all stood united as one voice, and uttered Amen. Where in the world does the bus read "Shana tova" on the days leading to Rosh Hashana? And before Yom Kippur the message changed to read that one should be inscribed and sealed for good and life. In the morning we sometimes catch a bus with an Arab driver. He always asks how we are, and I respond "Baruch HS", and then I ask how he is. And he responds "Baruch HS!" Which usually makes me crack up laughing. I asked him one day why he also says "BH". And he said there is only one G-d. And everything comes from Him. There is only one Israel.

(9)
Anonymous,
March 15, 2012 11:10 AM

Even after 3 years in Israel, my daughter still has an Israeli friend order a cab. When drivers hear an American accent, fares tend to escalate.

Ayalah Haas,
March 21, 2012 8:51 AM

Nonsense.

Your daughter should just tell the driver to put on the METER. After three years in Israel, she's probably aware that on the meter, there's a different rate for rides after 7:00 (or 8:00?) at night. I'm American-born, too. I just tell all cab drivers - in Israel or America - to put the meter on.

(8)
mariana,
March 14, 2012 12:59 AM

I love the bus

I love to take a bus in Israel, you see that the man respects you by not sitting on your side, you see younger people coming up to the eldery to seat, we can see people saying tehilim, studyng, listening to shiurim, and the most amazing, you have a huge chance to have a big rabbi/ Rosh Yeshive, like the ones we dream just to see when we are outside of Israel, I hope we all merit to return there to where we belong

(7)
Daniel Sheinfeld,
March 13, 2012 10:05 PM

So true

Haha so true, I was taking a cab back to my hotel about a year ago and the cab driver told me how lucky i was to be in a cab with him and how he was jewish and Jewish cab drivers are much nicer than Arab cab drivers and it is dangerous to go in a cab with them

(6)
Aryeh Herzig,
March 13, 2012 9:22 PM

I got into a taxi and found the driver knew TaNaCH by heart.

It was in Yerushalaiim a few weeks ago. Like Lori, I love shmoozing with Israeli taxi drivers. So this driver -David from Ramot - asks me where does it say this and how many times does it say that - in TaNaCH.
I challenged him back and after the 20 minute ride, I actually had trouble disengaging from him. I took down his number and called him and happily used his services many times during my trip. I loved every minute of those exalted taxi rides.
So tell me. Where in the world can you find such taxi drivers?
In the Zchus of our heillige Israeli taxi driver brothers, Moshiach will surely come soon.

(5)
Anonymous,
March 13, 2012 6:44 PM

In my most recently visit to Israel I took a cab and the driver charged me almost twice what the fare should have been.Cab drivers will take advantage if they can so before you get in make sure you agree on a price!

Dvirah,
March 14, 2012 5:12 PM

Very Few Are Like That

I live in Israel and use the cabs A LOT and yes, there are some drivers who will take advantage of you if they can. If you have doubts, by all means settle a price beforehand. But most of the cabbies are great people, not only strictly honest but generous: very good about giving a discount if one's in financial difficulties. On their and my own behalf I'd like to thank Lori for this tribute; I can testify that it is well deserved!

(4)
Katie,
March 13, 2012 3:09 PM

not only taxi drivers

I was in geulah in a shoe shop with my 12 year old daughter and the owner of the shop started blessing me and my daughter , that she should get married quickly and easily, in the right time. etc etc....it was absolutely wonderful..Me Keamcha Yisroel...thank you Lori for all your words of wisdom and bless you, from London..!

(3)
Chana Miriam Zelasko,
March 12, 2012 7:20 AM

Blessings to you

A beautiful, heartfelt message, Lori. I also bless you that you can make aliyah soon. I am looking forward to having you as my neighbor here in Ramat Beit Shemesh!

(2)
Lisa,
March 11, 2012 10:20 PM

Yes.....one day we'll all be in Israel!!

What do you mean "just like all Jews"? They are Jews!! You sound so surprised about the cab drivers.....& about how special it is....thanks.....we knew that!! So glad you know that now too!!

(1)
Miriam,
March 11, 2012 1:15 PM

I started crying while watching this.

So true! I miss Israel so much!

Anonymous,
March 21, 2012 8:54 AM

What a Neshama!

Come Home soon, Miriam. Israel misses you, too. I live in Israel B"H and this video makes me sentimental, too!